Extra! Extra! (4.28)
Know that groovy feeling after a long, grueling business trip is finished and you finally walk through your casa's front door? Well, that sums up the Lakers' mindset as they're back in Staples. And with that sense of comfort, they're hoping comes a W in tonight's pivotal game 3 against Phoenix. The overriding concept thus far has been "team," with the Lakers making a conscientious effort to work as a unit. Yeah, there have been folks who've stood out. Lamar Odom's play has been sick and Shawn Marion is really sick of keeping track of his whereabouts. The whole thing's been noteworthy enough to capture the stat-riddled mind of John Hollinger. Kwame Brown's stepped it up, on and off the court. And really, you can go around the horn and find something nice to say about everyone logging minutes in L.A.'s rotation. It's easy (and likely quite accurate) to credit Phil Jackson for the united front's that been forged. But props must also go to Kobe Bryant for wholeheartedly buying in and trusting his boys. Ironically, as Kobe's become less compelled to pull out all the stops, the more the accolades keep piling on.
photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty
Lakers will win tonight.
Final score:
Lakers 147
Suns 9
Posted by: LakerKev | April 28, 2006 at 09:37 AM
GO LAKERS!
MAKE THEM OBEY!
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | April 28, 2006 at 09:38 AM
A win tonight would be huge . . . the Lakers cannot let up and be happy with just pulling even in Phoenix, they need to finish the job here at home and close out the series in Phoenix next week. Lets go Lake Show!
Posted by: Laker Fan | April 28, 2006 at 09:38 AM
What makes me think the Lakers have the upper hand in this series? Listen to Phoenix's rebuttals against the critics. All their talk is about heart and effort - notice no mention of strategy. Yeah, the Suns want to run, but how? If Phoenix doesn't make any adjustments to their strategy, I don't care how hard they play, they're going to lose to PJ's game plan 8 times out of 10.
Posted by: Blind Worshipper | April 28, 2006 at 09:47 AM
D'Antoni wants a "48 minutes of hell" offensive mind-set to get back to goals that now seem heavenly.
They are coming out tonight with a aggressive mentality! We stop that tonight, which I think we will, and their done!
48 minutes of hell?
MAKE THEM OBEY THE LAWS OF FUNDAMENTAL BASKETBALL!
The only thing the Suns will say after the game is: Hell, what happened?
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | April 28, 2006 at 09:54 AM
i lookin forward to this game..i think if we can take this game we'll win the series because we'll mess up phoenix's whole confidence..i hope we do..but i dunno..i got a strange feelin about tonight..hope im wrong.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Mike G | April 28, 2006 at 09:55 AM
we have the mamba. we are led by the most ruthless assassin in the NBA. we wont let up. this is just the beginning!
lakers 106
suns 99
Posted by: phil | April 28, 2006 at 10:01 AM
good call blind worshipper...all the suns can say is we are gonna have to push the ball even more..it ain`t gonna happen, especially on our home floor
Posted by: kleander | April 28, 2006 at 10:05 AM
Are we having a live Blog-O-Cast tonight?
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | April 28, 2006 at 10:10 AM
i am worried about this game. the Suns played better in the 2nd half of last game. If they hit a couple more shots (you know Marion can't get this cold all series), and Lakers didn't hit those clutch shots (you know sasha can't hit 3 out of 5 threes all series long), it could have gone the other way.
i wondered if phoenix would tried to guard kobe one-on-one to start the game this time, and not let the rest of the guys get any rhythm, confidence, open shots. they will probably double if lakers get down low instead (as in 2nd half of last game). i think they will be more happy if kobe gets 50 pts.
Posted by: phil | April 28, 2006 at 10:12 AM
I think tonight is just as much a just win as Wednesday night's game. Why? Because I don't think a young team like the Lakers can afford to fall behind 2-1 especially on their home floor.
The Lake Show need to continue to slow down the Suns running game and discourage them. Another slow pace win like that for the Lakers may just be what breaks their wills and shakes their confidence beyond repair.
Conversly, a win for the Lakers will continue to build their confidence, and allow Kobe's trust in his teammates to continue to grow.
BTW, am I the only one that thinks Kwame Brown's recent play reminds them of a younger Jermaine O'Neal. For those who don't remember O'Neal averaged 13 and 9 his first season with the Pacers. Kwame's late season surge of 12 and 8 did a lot to remind me of that.
Am I the only one who thinks this?
Posted by: Xodus | April 28, 2006 at 10:14 AM
We all know the Lakers need to win these two games at home if they have a chance in this series. Then they will have 3 games to close them out with game 6 being their best chance.
That dunk by Kobe was his greatast showing of athleticsm since that dunk last year in Orlando. Kobe doesn't do it as often as he used to, but he sure did it at the right time. I honestly didn't think Kobe had the same athleticsm anymore. He proved me wrong in that game!
Posted by: Zen | April 28, 2006 at 10:16 AM
last post game interview, Kobe said this is a "pretty even keeled" team...let's hope that's true. There is no question they are a confident bunch, especially if that "15" games thing was really on the locker room board after the game. However, there is confidence, and there is overconfidence. I hope we stay on the former, cause we are a young team in need of it, but we must also and always stay hungry. We have accomplished nothing. (While I've said yesterday what ever happens, I'm happy----is still true) As a team, our goals have not been reallized. We came in the playoffs with a mentality that we were going to make some noise, and to do that you have to win.
I trust in our veterans, and especially Phil and Kobe to keep this team at it's present mindset. I know LO is certainly hungry, and has shown remarkable determination/attack...but the whole team still needs to be as hungry and as determined as before. I trust we will do so.
Go Lakers! Playoffs baby!
Posted by: Faith | April 28, 2006 at 10:17 AM
Kobe knows, Phil knows. It's on now and we'll be ready.
They'lll come at us.
They will push it. It's desperate time for them.
If they're shooting lights out, which I doubt, it could be tough.
They're still the Phoenix Suns with Nash and we'll have to take it from them like we did in Phoenix.
So far the games have been played our way, and Phoenix would have to get insane hot for that to change. We withstood the 1st quarter of game one, we know how to push back now. GOOOOO
Posted by: Vman | April 28, 2006 at 10:20 AM
xodus,
I was thinking the same thing yesterday. I went to O'Neal's career stat line and yeah, they are very similar. I watch some highlights of O'Neal's game yesterday, and Kwame has the same type of moves in the low post. Spinning towards the basket, just that O'Neal has more control of his shot after the spin than Kwame does. But I think that's just a matter of experience. Great observation!
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | April 28, 2006 at 10:26 AM
24 = the ocho x 3
kobe wants to be three times as great in his second decade in the L
let's all hope our boys wear the "i'm about to kick your butt" gold jerseys tonight and not those "fairie" whites (phil's words)!
kobe calls the gold jerseys the "gold armor." wearing it gives the players more confidence.
this is the playoffs -- gold only!
Posted by: tommy | April 28, 2006 at 10:27 AM
Michael Teniente,
;0)
Posted by: ocho | April 28, 2006 at 10:28 AM
BTW,
Hi Faith!
;-)
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | April 28, 2006 at 10:29 AM
BTW, again,
Great Job on the links, AK/BK.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | April 28, 2006 at 10:30 AM
My guess is that Kobe wanted his number changed before this season (The new era with Phil), but he didn't realize the rule of 6 months in advance.
Posted by: Zen | April 28, 2006 at 10:31 AM
2 X 4 is 8.
Kobe has 2 kids. So that makes a family of 4.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | April 28, 2006 at 10:33 AM
If he has another kid, he'll change is number to 35. LOL!
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | April 28, 2006 at 10:34 AM
Tonight's game is going to be great. I only wish I was in LA to watch it. ;_; Anyways, I'm curious as to wether or not Lamar can keep his game at this level. I sure hope so. I remember him doing the same thing in stretches with the Heat in the playoffs.
As for the Suns getting out and running, I really think it will be a matter of how disciplined our guys are tonight. I mean the crowd is going to cheer wildly everytime the Lakers run and score (thereby encouraging them to run). If we can resists the urge to run (that quick 3 by Jimmy Jackson broke my heart before it even left his hands on wednesday--I thought it was all going to come apart). Lakers will be cheered on by our home crowd every time they do get out on the break.
Resist the urge. I must say though with Kobe, Lamar and Smush bringing the ball up, I am confident we can slow it down.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: poyorick | April 28, 2006 at 10:39 AM
Honestly, I think Kobe is honoring his family. The great number 8 is now 24. I think that when Kobe has his jersey retired, he wants a symbol of his family to hang up their with him. No more solo act for Bryant. He has a family. The boy has become a man! GOD BLESS KOBE'S FAMILY AND TEAM!
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | April 28, 2006 at 10:42 AM
lol, Mike
You guys are making it all too complicated...it's all about "2-4 six eight who do we appreciate? Kobe Kobe Kobe" lol...jk
tommy,
I think they're definitely be wearing the "golden armour" tonight. The white "fairies" uniform are their sunday whites. Let's hope that golden armour--especially the name in front of it, in the playoffs, not only gives us pride, but motivation (we are the lakers!).
Posted by: Faith | April 28, 2006 at 10:42 AM
poyorick
"that quick 3 by Jimmy Jackson broke my heart before it even left his hands on wednesday--I thought it was all going to come apart"
my thoughts, exactly!
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | April 28, 2006 at 10:44 AM
They booed Kobe whenever he touched the ball (except for the mvp chant during his fts lol) I say we yell "fake mvp" whenever Nash touches the ball...lol...joke only (don't hurt me ;-)
Posted by: Faith | April 28, 2006 at 10:44 AM
I agree that all I've heard from the Suns camp is about doing whatever it takes to get out and run and move the tempo. First, I think the Lakers are doing a great job pounding the ball inside to limit long rebounds off of jumpers. Whether LO or Kwame convert is not as detrimental as keeping those long rebounds to a minimum. Second, I like the intensity that Smush and Sasha have been showing in defending Nash. They seem to pick him up sooner and make him work just a little harder to find his open guys. What I would like to see PJ throw in a few times is the Lakers trapping Nash full-court after a made bucket. It would be tough to do it all game, but every now and then would be a smart move, just to get the ball out of his hands. Anyway, I'm sure PJ isn't just going to bring the same game plan again, he'll do something to switch things up to give us that edge.
Posted by: Andrew Z | April 28, 2006 at 10:44 AM
Mike T,
Kwame and O'Neal definitely have a few similar moves. And while their bodies are pretty similar I think Kwame's looks just a bit bigger and stronger.
The main difference between Kwame and O'Neal is that JO is obviously much more refined and confident. Kwame is a diamond in the rough but he's well on his way.
I gotta give you props Mike T. you're the only one who believed in Kwame on the blog.
Posted by: Xodus | April 28, 2006 at 10:45 AM
to be fair, smooth d also saw in Kwame what Mike T did. ;-)
Andrew Z, " he'll do something to switch things up to give us that edge." good point. I'm not sure he'd change a working game plan...but he'd tweak it to get more advantage for us.
Posted by: Faith | April 28, 2006 at 10:52 AM
The first 3-6mins of this game is goin to be very important! They are goin to come out swinging tryin to run at every chance and just over power us with there energy. Once we break their spirit in that first quarter i think they go back to there same way of playing in the last 2 games.
Posted by: Bonez | April 28, 2006 at 10:52 AM
How exciting for our young guys to be suiting up in the gold uni's for their first playoff game at home as Laker, let's just hope their eager to deliver their first time out.
I'm not seeing much from the Suns camp about making changes, so other than overall effort I don't expect to see anything different from them tonight. As long as we can match their intensity while controlling the tempo, I think we'll be in good shape.
Posted by: Kevin McK | April 28, 2006 at 10:55 AM
I can't remember how long it's been since I felt this much anticipation leading up to a playoff game...oh wait, yeah I do, it was Wednesday. But I'm feeling confident about tonight. It's gonna be close, may even come down to the last shot, but the home environment will be the X Factor tonight (not Smush). For all you lucky ones in LA that will be in attendance, yell until your voices fade out. If you listen closely, you'll be hearing me scream all the way from Portland.
LET'S DO THIS!!!
Posted by: Justin | April 28, 2006 at 10:55 AM
Faith,
Thanks for saying that about Smoothd! He was the first. I only analysed it, which made it more visible than smoothd. So we have to give smoothd the props!
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | April 28, 2006 at 11:00 AM
IT'S ON TONIGHT!!!
The game tonight should be great from a Laker standpoint. I think that our team will continue to build on its defensive game plan and take Phoenix out of its comfort zone. I hope that the crowd is loud and supportive and appreciative of how far this group has come in a short time. It wasn't too long ago that the Lakers were 34-34 and feeling doubts about their chances to even the make the playoffs. Now, they are on the verge of upsetting Scraggly Stevie and his wild bunch, the NBA's media darlings. If they take things slowly and exist in the moment, everything should fall into place. GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | April 28, 2006 at 11:01 AM
Take care of the ball fellas, and we should be okay. And that goes especially to Smush.... I think we are lucky his mistakes in the last game did not come back and bite us.....
Posted by: tom | April 28, 2006 at 11:03 AM
One thing I noticed watching Wednesday's game was when Lamar takes the the ball on the right side of the basket to the post and backs in Marion, he takes too long to make a move. Nash waits for Lamar to cut down toward the basket and then sneaks in there to draw a charge. Lamar got called for it at least once on Wednesday and they tried it several times. Lamar has to be quicker with his moves or he could end up in foul trouble early in the game, and that could spell trouble for the Lakers who depend on him for drawing the double teams off Kobe.
Laker Fan
Posted by: Laker Fan | April 28, 2006 at 11:05 AM
Faith,
I agree, I don't see a complete change of plans, hell, whatever we're doing is working, right? But I expect the Suns to come out with a TON of energy and really, REALLY try to push the ball. My take is that we try and trap and slow the ball ASAP, picking up Steve Nash full court. With Sasha and Smush we should have the energy. Just a little tweak here and there to keep things interesting.
Also, do you think the Lakers will have Kobe spray paint an "X" over the 15 on the courtside sign like the supposed "contenders" are doing after each win? Do all teams get to do that? Just wondering.
Posted by: Andrew Z | April 28, 2006 at 11:06 AM
Faith,
lol Well like Mike said he analyzed it much more thus making him the one we all remember saying talking up Kwame.
But, I guess I've got to give smoothd some props too.
Posted by: Xodus | April 28, 2006 at 11:07 AM
D'Antoni is saying that they will remain the same i.e. run with Nash and win ball games. Actually, they are not saying the adjustments they are making on Game 3. By this time, they have pinpointed the weaknesses of "other" Lakers:
A. Lamar's tendency to commit forcing throughs when driving to the basket. Block the path of Lamar with a second player.
B. Box-out Lamar during rebounds and get him into foul trouble so he will be ineffective in 2nd and 3rd quarter.
C. They will crowd on Kwame before he gets the ball which normally results to high percentage of turnover when the ball gets to him. This was the common mistake of Kwame during the season.
D. They will apply the subtle bump normally done during the playoffs to distract the shooting of Kwame. Kwame does not possess the athletic skills to recover or hang in the air like: Lamar, Smush or Kobe.
E. On their offense, they'll foul-bait on Kwame to get him into foul trouble because Lakers do not have enough centers for the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Mihm and Bynum are not playing so the only legitimate center is Kwame.
F. Smush/Sasha loves to run and do some fastbreaks, they will encourage them to change the tempo of the game by running wild with Nash, commit turnovers in changing pivots and going through the web of double screens.
G. They will trap on Luke to pass the ball in the middle as though it's a lane unguarded but really a ploy for Luke to go on blind passing and a possible turnover or interception.
H. As usual, Kobe will be manhandled by Bell and bait him to lose his temper, he could commit a technical foul or possible physical retaliation because his manhood has been challenged.
If I were PJ, we are aware of these possible adjustments or tactics during playoffs, make the game slower, methodical and take advantage of every small mistakes of the Suns. Lakers, keep you heads cool and use common sense, now that you got even. The head of the desert Phoenix rattler is Nash and rattling tail comes from Marion. So far, we've neutralized the tail, so the noise was severely minimized, it's time to cut the diamond head (literally speaking only)of this hairy rattler and aim for the kill. Based on traditions, this is what we want to witness from the Lakers of 2006 - "the killer instinct."
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 28, 2006 at 11:08 AM
STEVE KERR:
"Marion needs to have a 25-point, 12-rebound type of night to give Steve Nash some help and provide that second star Phoenix needs. Marion is most likely to have a game like that if the Suns can run – that's when Marion is at his best. "
It's like these guys don't get it. It's not that the Suns have forgotten their game plan to run, it's that the Lakers aren't allowing them to run. The comments these guys make sound as if Phoenix has a choice in the matter.
That's why my theme for this series is:
MAKE THEM OBEY!
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | April 28, 2006 at 11:14 AM
Help! A friend and I are discussing ShowTime of the 80's and we are stuck. We can't remember the missing link in the starting lineup of the '85 championship season
Magic
Kareem
Worthy
Scott
???
Mykal Thompson was coming off the bench, correct? I'm sure one of you guys/girls know. Thanks!
Posted by: Steph | April 28, 2006 at 11:16 AM
edwin,
That was a cool breakdown! Props, man!
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | April 28, 2006 at 11:18 AM
edwin,
By the time the Suns apply all that, they'll be playing at our tempo for sure! I guess we got them where we want them. THINKING!
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | April 28, 2006 at 11:20 AM
Edwin, the cool thing about the Suns possible adjustment is that, if the Lakers continue to properly use the triangle, there is an automatic answer for each thing the Suns do. That is why there is so much enthusiasm now, I believe. The team has shown the ability and willingness to play within the system for two games now, even when things were tight and I'm sure it was hard to be disciplined.
We got this.
Posted by: gerry b | April 28, 2006 at 11:21 AM
Yo, did yall hear that Nash had to go to the therapist, he kept having nightmares of kobe's nuts in his face (no homo). I feel that intensity, less three point shots and more attacking the basket we back in Phoenix 3-1.
Posted by: Dirty Rotten Scoundrel | April 28, 2006 at 11:23 AM
Steph,
Wasn't it Rambis?
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | April 28, 2006 at 11:25 AM
FYI, there's a recently added piece on Kwame in Extra.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | April 28, 2006 at 11:30 AM
You've all seen The Matrix right? Not Shawn Marion, but the movie. This series, along with Kobe changing his number from 8 to 24, is like the climax of the movie when Neo is the hallway facing the three agents in a showdown. He realizes his power, stops the bullets in the air instead of dodging them. After they drop harmlessly to the ground, he flexes with elbows out, as the walls bend around him. That's what this series is like for Kobe. Phil Jackson is Morpheus.
Posted by: Blind Worshipper | April 28, 2006 at 11:30 AM
Yeah Faith,
They booed Kobe everytime he touches the ball.
Now at Staples, it's payback time. Let's BOOO that arrogant Raja Bell everytime he touches the ball. Maybe Nash too.
BTW, some of the crowd in phoenix were chanting MVP everytime Kobe goes to the FT line...
And Smush, stop swimming and stop thinking you're on the playground. Keep in mind that it's the NBA playoffs. Post up Nash a little bit more often and he'll be in foul trouble.
And Kwame, again, count three seconds. The refs are calling it against you all season long. you must be aware of it by now.
Go Lakers!!!
Kobe is the real MVP.
Posted by: rondiel | April 28, 2006 at 11:34 AM